Type in your address and hit “find” and it will pull up a map of your district with an inset of your representatives. You can click on their name to get phone numbers and email addresses. Send your message to each individually and address them by name. A respectful tone and personal story make the biggest impact. GRASSROOTS CONNECTION/ ED FUNDING; MATH AND SCIENCE ASSESSMENTS; COMMON CORE Feb. 1, 2011 Dear advocates, Education funding, math and science assessments, and a bill that would implement the Common Core standards (and continue other reforms) are all on the agenda this week. Also introduced, but not yet assigned a hearing, is a bill that would change layoff policies (HB 1609) Voices needed (You can testify in person, email the committee – or send me written testimony) · Tuesday, Feb. 1, on math and science assessments. House Education Committee. 1:30 p.m. · Wednesday, Feb. 2, on the third round of cuts to the current budget. Senate Ways and Means Committee. 3:30 p.m. · Thursday, Feb. 3, on early learning assessments (includes phonological awareness screening in our literacy platform). House Education, 8 a.m. · Friday, Feb. 4, on education reforms, including continuing the evaluation pilot and adopting Common Core Standards. House Education., 1:30 p.m. Following is this week’s agenda, focusing on our priority issues. For full agendas, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx - TUESDAY: House Education - 02/01/11 1:30 pm House Hearing Rm A, John L. O'Brien Building - Public Hearing (math and science assessments): 1.HB 1412 - Regarding mathematics end-of-course assessments. (State superintendent’s bill. Establishes a transition period, reduces retroactive testing) 2.HB 1410 - Regarding science end-of-course assessments. (State superintendent’s bill. Delays science requirement until 2017 for alignment purposes, then requires biology test. Phases in 2 more exams, in physical science and integrated science.) 3.HB 1330 - Adjusting high school assessments as graduation requirements. (Delays math and science requirement) 4.HB 1463 - Eliminating the use of statewide assessments as a high school graduation requirement. (Cites fairness issue and cost savings.) - MATH: In a Senate hearing, WSPTA testimony voiced concern about retroactively testing kids on algebra and geometry, citing logistical and fairness issues, as well as use of resources (scheduling reviews for kids who took the courses several years ago, etc.) We broached the concept of making the tests a requirement for course credit, and grandfathering those who already passed the classes. No legislation covers this scenario, though; the closest is the superintendent’s math bill. In that bill’s scenario, some 10th-graders would still have to test on old subject matter, but they must take a math test anyway to meet federal requirements. This bill would mean 10th-graders currently in geometry could concentrate on that course, and not have to also worry about also taking an algebra exam. - SCIENCE: The issue with science is not all kids take biology, but all would be tested on it. Also, teachers have testified that they have not had the opportunity to align courses with the new test. (The comprehensive test, which tested kids on a mix of science, regardless of whether they ever studied it, is no longer in use.) WSPTA testimony has supported the move to end-of-course testing, and again we broached the idea of making it a requirement for course credit. If students took a science class for which there was no state test, local requirements would kick in. As state tests became available, they could be rolled into use. Again, no legislation addresses this scenario. - - WEDNESDAY Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education* - 02/02/11 8:00 am Senate Hearing Rm 1, J.A. Cherberg Building - Public Hearing (departmental/oversight changes): 1.SJR 8212 - Eliminating the superintendent of public instruction as a statewide elected official. 2.SB 5522 - Creating the office of the superintendent of public instruction as an executive branch agency. - WSPTA does not yet have a position on this. The governor is also proposing departmental changes to the educational system. - - Senate Ways & Means - 02/02/11 3:30 pm Senate Hearing Rm 4; J.A. Cherberg Building - Public Hearing (cuts to CURRENT budget): ESHB 1086 - Making 2009-2011 supplemental operating appropriations. (Hearing on proposed committee amendment ). - WSPTA testimony has asked for evaluation pilots and WaKids to be funded. We also asked that follow up from the dyslexia pilot be funded.. We have cautioned against retroactively cutting education. We want all basic education funded, and have not taken a position on which funding stream is more important (levy equalization vs K-3 class size, etc.) - - THURSDAY House Education - 02/03/11 8:00 am Jt. w/ Early Learning & Human Services House Hearing Rm A; John L. O'Brien Building - Work Session: Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Process. - Public Hearing (kindergarten readiness/early literacy) HB 1510 - Regarding an assessment of students in state-funded full-day kindergarten classrooms. - This refers to diagnostic tools piloted through WaKids and they include the early phonological awareness screening that we ask for in our literacy instruction priority. WaKids is a kindergarten readiness pilot. It has strong family engagement components and emphasizes a preK-grade 3 continuum and whole-child approach to learning. WAKids info: http://www.del.wa.gov/development/kindergarten/pilot.aspx - - FRIDAY House Education - 02/04/11 1:30 pm House Hearing Rm A; John L. O'Brien Building - Public Hearing (implementing reforms to basic ed, Race to the Top): HB 1443 - Continuing education reforms. · Continues development and implementation of revised teacher and principal evaluation systems. · Requires school districts to define a high school credit for purposes of meeting state and local graduation requirements. · Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide technical assistance to schools and districts specifically targeted to reduce school dropouts and improve on-time and extended high school graduation rates. · Authorizes the office of the superintendent of public instruction to require elementary schools receiving federal school improvement grants to use the state kindergarten readiness assessment (this includes the phonological awareness screening that WSPTA prioritizes) · Directs the institute for public policy to work with the office of the superintendent of public instruction to design and implement a research study to measure the impact on student achievement of remediation strategies funded by the learning assistance program · Includes language for Common Core adoptions, after review of community representatives - This bill aligns with our top priority, implementing reforms in the basic education program as well as the reforms around accountability, evaluations and family engagement passed last session. Common Core standards are a national PTA priority. Info on Common Core state standards: http://www.k12.wa.us/corestandards/Fastfacts.aspx - - GOOD STUFF ONLINE: NEW: Budget Advocacy resource page: http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/budget/index.html NEW:This week’s key message: http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html - Have a great week! Ramona Hattendorf,
Government Relations Coordinator, Washington State PTA SAVING OUR ABCs -- Focus Day is Feb. 21! We need your voice and presence - To contact me: Office: 253-565-2153 Mobile: 206-778-8623 1003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466 rhattendorf@wastatepta.org ------------------------------ "GRASSROOTS CONNECTION" SUBSCRIBER TIPS For help or to send comments, suggestions, and inquiries to the list administrator, address your email to support@wastatepta.org
Reminder: How to find your legislators http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/
Type in your address and hit “find” and it will pull up a map of your district with an inset of your representatives. You can click on their name to get phone numbers and email addresses. Send your message to each individually and address them by name. A respectful tone and personal story make the biggest impact.
GRASSROOTS CONNECTION/
ED FUNDING; MATH AND SCIENCE ASSESSMENTS; COMMON CORE
Feb. 1, 2011
Dear advocates,
Education funding, math and science assessments, and a bill that would implement the Common Core standards (and continue other reforms) are all on the agenda this week. Also introduced, but not yet assigned a hearing, is a bill that would change layoff policies (HB 1609)
Voices needed (You can testify in person, email the committee – or send me written testimony)
· Tuesday, Feb. 1, on math and science assessments. House Education Committee. 1:30 p.m.
· Wednesday, Feb. 2, on the third round of cuts to the current budget. Senate Ways and Means Committee. 3:30 p.m.
· Thursday, Feb. 3, on early learning assessments (includes phonological awareness screening in our literacy platform). House Education, 8 a.m.
· Friday, Feb. 4, on education reforms, including continuing the evaluation pilot and adopting Common Core Standards. House Education., 1:30 p.m.
Following is this week’s agenda, focusing on our priority issues. For full agendas, visit: http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx
-
TUESDAY:
House Education - 02/01/11 1:30 pm
House Hearing Rm A, John L. O'Brien Building
-
Public Hearing (math and science assessments):
1.HB 1412 - Regarding mathematics end-of-course assessments. (State superintendent’s bill. Establishes a transition period, reduces retroactive testing)
2.HB 1410 - Regarding science end-of-course assessments. (State superintendent’s bill. Delays science requirement until 2017 for alignment purposes, then requires biology test. Phases in 2 more exams, in physical science and integrated science.)
3.HB 1330 - Adjusting high school assessments as graduation requirements. (Delays math and science requirement)
4.HB 1463 - Eliminating the use of statewide assessments as a high school graduation requirement. (Cites fairness issue and cost savings.)
-
MATH: In a Senate hearing, WSPTA testimony voiced concern about retroactively testing kids on algebra and geometry, citing logistical and fairness issues, as well as use of resources (scheduling reviews for kids who took the courses several years ago, etc.) We broached the concept of making the tests a requirement for course credit, and grandfathering those who already passed the classes. No legislation covers this scenario, though; the closest is the superintendent’s math bill. In that bill’s scenario, some 10th-graders would still have to test on old subject matter, but they must take a math test anyway to meet federal requirements. This bill would mean 10th-graders currently in geometry could concentrate on that course, and not have to also worry about also taking an algebra exam.
-
SCIENCE: The issue with science is not all kids take biology, but all would be tested on it. Also, teachers have testified that they have not had the opportunity to align courses with the new test. (The comprehensive test, which tested kids on a mix of science, regardless of whether they ever studied it, is no longer in use.) WSPTA testimony has supported the move to end-of-course testing, and again we broached the idea of making it a requirement for course credit. If students took a science class for which there was no state test, local requirements would kick in. As state tests became available, they could be rolled into use. Again, no legislation addresses this scenario.
-
-
WEDNESDAY
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education* - 02/02/11 8:00 am
Senate Hearing Rm 1, J.A. Cherberg Building
-
Public Hearing (departmental/oversight changes):
1.SJR 8212 - Eliminating the superintendent of public instruction as a statewide elected official.
2.SB 5522 - Creating the office of the superintendent of public instruction as an executive branch agency.
-
WSPTA does not yet have a position on this. The governor is also proposing departmental changes to the educational system.
-
-
Senate Ways & Means - 02/02/11 3:30 pm
Senate Hearing Rm 4; J.A. Cherberg Building
-
Public Hearing (cuts to CURRENT budget):
ESHB 1086 - Making 2009-2011 supplemental operating appropriations. (Hearing on proposed committee amendment ).
-
WSPTA testimony has asked for evaluation pilots and WaKids to be funded. We also asked that follow up from the dyslexia pilot be funded.. We have cautioned against retroactively cutting education. We want all basic education funded, and have not taken a position on which funding stream is more important (levy equalization vs K-3 class size, etc.)
-
-
THURSDAY
House Education - 02/03/11 8:00 am
Jt. w/ Early Learning & Human Services
House Hearing Rm A; John L. O'Brien Building
-
Work Session: Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Process.
-
Public Hearing (kindergarten readiness/early literacy)
HB 1510 - Regarding an assessment of students in state-funded full-day kindergarten classrooms.
-
This refers to diagnostic tools piloted through WaKids and they include the early phonological awareness screening that we ask for in our literacy instruction priority. WaKids is a kindergarten readiness pilot. It has strong family engagement components and emphasizes a preK-grade 3 continuum and whole-child approach to learning. WAKids info: http://www.del.wa.gov/development/kindergarten/pilot.aspx
-
-
FRIDAY
House Education - 02/04/11 1:30 pm
House Hearing Rm A; John L. O'Brien Building
-
Public Hearing (implementing reforms to basic ed, Race to the Top):
HB 1443 - Continuing education reforms.
· Continues development and implementation of revised teacher and principal evaluation systems.
· Requires school districts to define a high school credit for purposes of meeting state and local graduation requirements.
· Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide technical assistance to schools and districts specifically targeted to reduce school dropouts and improve on-time and extended high school graduation rates.
· Authorizes the office of the superintendent of public instruction to require elementary schools receiving federal school improvement grants to use the state kindergarten readiness assessment (this includes the phonological awareness screening that WSPTA prioritizes)
· Directs the institute for public policy to work with the office of the superintendent of public instruction to design and implement a research study to measure the impact on student achievement of remediation strategies funded by the learning assistance program
· Includes language for Common Core adoptions, after review of community representatives
-
This bill aligns with our top priority, implementing reforms in the basic education program as well as the reforms around accountability, evaluations and family engagement passed last session. Common Core standards are a national PTA priority. Info on Common Core state standards: http://www.k12.wa.us/corestandards/Fastfacts.aspx
-
-
GOOD STUFF ONLINE:
NEW: Budget Advocacy resource page: http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/budget/index.html
NEW: This week’s key message: http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html
-
Have a great week!
Ramona Hattendorf,
Government Relations Coordinator, Washington State PTA
SAVING OUR ABCs -- Focus Day is Feb. 21! We need your voice and presence
-
To contact me:
Office: 253-565-2153
Mobile: 206-778-8623
1003 65th Ave. W, Tacoma, WA 98466
rhattendorf@wastatepta.org
------------------------------ "GRASSROOTS CONNECTION" SUBSCRIBER TIPS
For help or to send comments, suggestions, and inquiries to the list administrator, address your email to support@wastatepta.org